'atrabilaire' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'atrabilis', where 'atra' meant 'black' and 'bilis' meant 'bile'.

'atrabilaire' passed through medieval Latin and Old French forms such as 'atrabile'/'atrabilis' and entered Middle English usage as an archaic term; related modern English forms include 'atrabilious'.

Initially it referred to the literal notion of 'black bile' (a bodily humor thought to cause melancholy); over time it evolved to describe a melancholic or irritable temperament.